tropical color Archives | Diana's Designs Austin

Inside Austin Gardens Tour – Breathtaking garden with Lake Austin backdrop

Last week I got a preview of the wonderful gardens that will be on the popular Master Gardeners Inside Austin Gardens Tour 2015 on Saturday, October 17. The tour provides a rare look inside six private gardens and a public experimental garden. With the theme of For Gardeners, By Gardeners, the tour showcases 7 gardens with distinctly different garden styles. Tickets for all 7 gardens are $19 in advance or $20 at any garden location on the day of the tour. Single garden tickets for $5 can also be purchased at each garden. Purchase advance tickets here.

Sunbathing Natives1012 N Weston Lane 78733

The relationship between stone and plants creates an intricately woven tapestry as you enter this garden. Beautiful yet unassuming in its simplicity, this garden entry and driveway area is lined with deer resistant, drought tolerant and heat-loving natives. And they are all doing much more than holding their own.

This imposing lion stands guard at the front of the house.

And behind the glass these two imposing figures make up the secondary security team!

Step through a shade-lined rock path and the rest of the garden comes at you with an intensity that is palpable. First, there is color. A lot of color. And plants. Bright, hot, tropical colors and plants.

And then there is this.

And suddenly, your eye isn’t quite sure what to look at. The explosion of plant colors, the water right here, the water wayyyyyy down there…there is just so much to see.

The hot tub was crafted to replicate the water feature just inside the entrance to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

We had a special treat and were invited in to see the view from the owner’s wife’s painting studio upstairs. I’m not sure I could ever take my eyes off of that view!

Not only was this a beautiful garden set on an amazing piece of property, but the garden design was wonderful, enhancing the space and adding to the wow factor with the composition of plants and stone. You don’t want to miss this one! Get your tickets now and get there early for some great photographs.

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:38:50-05:00October 9th, 2015|Blog, drought-tolerant, garden tour 2015, hillside, Inside Austin Garden Tour, Kirk Walden, lake Austin, Master Gardener tour, natives, pool, seating, Sharing Nature's Garden, stone, sun, tropical color|0 Comments

Delightful garden tour on a challenging slope …

It’s a treat to get together once a month with other Austin garden bloggers to share stories, enjoy each others’ gardens, eat, drink and pass along plants at our plant swap.

On Saturday, we were treated to double the fun. In addition to our monthly gathering at the stunning garden of David and Jenny of Rock Rose, we also ventured nearby to their neighbors and were given a guided tour of another beautiful garden.

Located on approximately one and one third acre, this garden’s hills and vales are interwoven with ribbons of rock and drainage solutions that blend into the landscape.

As we walked into the back yard, I was immediately drawn to this line of dramatic whale’s tongue agaves. They sit perched atop a river rock berm, surrounded by softer foliage that draws the eye far out into the garden.

Here’s a longer shot of how they are incorporated into this first layer of the overall landscape.

A closer look at the other plants reveals a cottage-like aesthetic, complete with a bird bath, gazing ball and obelisk to serve as focal points throughout the space.

The blend of sun-loving plants crosses traditional garden style boundaries in some areas, making the garden more intriguing.

Then the path evolved into a more desert-like garden, filled with sculptural cacti and agaves and garden art.

As dry as the garden appeared, it was hard to imagine the torrential rains that must have swept through these beds only days before.

As you keep meandering through the back of the garden, you wind your way through a shadier, wooded pathway.

Just as the garden becomes sunnier again, so does the garden decor. Brilliant pops of orange and cobalt blue are sprinkled throughout this section of the landscape.

Hot garden plants fill the brightly colored planters.

A single orange slice of wall acts as a backdrop for this dramatic planter, home to either a sago palm or a dioon edule.

More beautiful tropicals.

This is a view from the garden back to the house and a covered patio area.

Another painted wall houses this creative trellis displaying an array of cacti in terra cotta pots.

Just past the driveway, this colorful rooster seems to be peering through the salvia to spy on our group of gardeners.

This chocolate mimosa makes a striking statement against this dark wooden gate the the bright limestone.

This Asian-style bench welcomes visitors as they near the front door — and just beyond — this imposing soldier seems to be guarding the entry area as well.

The garden was spectacular — I loved not only the collection of plants, but also the fascinating garden sculpting to address drainage issues.

Special thanks to the homeowners for inviting us to share in their beautiful space.

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:01-06:00May 31st, 2015|Agave, barrel cactus, bench, Blog, cacti, chocolate mimosa, drainage, dry creek, focal point, garden art, garden decor, garden tour, pots, pottery, Sago, Sharing Nature's Garden, tropical color, whales tongue agave|0 Comments

Winter warm up — hot colors in the garden…

Even here in Central Texas, our winter’s freezing temps and cold, damp, grey skies are hanging on. I’m done with it. And I know my gardening friends to the north are exasperated by the volume of snow that continues to plague them.

At the Garden Bloggers Fling in Portland last spring, I was struck by the overwhelming use of color in the gardens there. Plants, pots, furniture, you name it, vivid colors perked up each and every garden. With a climate filled with its share of grey days, these pops of color their gardens not only brightened up the space, they brightened my mood.

As I’m sure they were consciously or subconsciously intended to do.

So for everyone who is exasperated by the lingering blanket of winter that covers our souls and our gardens this year, here are some of my favorite photos of tropical style gardens, plants and decor.

A little garden statuary can help to enhance your garden style.

Even if you’re in a drought, a pretty rain chain can make it seem like you might be having a late afternoon tropical shower.

With only a few exotic-looking plants and the right leaf shapes, textures or forms, you can create your own resort-like retreat in your back yard.

Hot, contrasting colors embody the tropical style.

Bananas, crotons and coleus are true tropical plants.

Even if your design doesn’t include many tropical plants, you can add some pops of color with garden art and decor.

While most coleus are shade plants, there are new sun-loving varieties that you can use in sunny spots.

Texture, second only to color, typifies traditional plants of the tropics. Big, bold foliage with exotic patterns and texture abound in this section of the world.

Elephant ears can set the mood in your island oasis.

Giant planters filled with eye-popping color can seem tropical, even if the plants in it aren’t.

Tropical style is all about big, bold design that packs a punch. Simply looking at these hot colors warms me up and gives me the itch to garden.

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:38:53-05:00March 5th, 2015|banana tree, Blog, coleus, elephant ears, garden art, garden statues, ginger, rain chain, Sharing Nature's Garden, shell ginger, statuary, texture, tropical color, tropical style, tropicals|0 Comments

A gardener’s wish list of styles, all in one Portland garden

Last month’s Garden Bloggers Fling in Portland offered something for everyone. There were many different gardens, ranging from cottage style to tropical.

The Old Germantown Gardens found its way onto my favorites list because it was one-stop shopping. (Well, not literally shopping, though we did a lot of that on the Fling, too. ) Winding paths, perennial beds, a rock garden, ponds, a dry hillside garden, tropical plants and a collection of seating areas were scattered about the 2-acre property. A mere 23 years in the making, the gardeners brought the design and their plant collections together beautifully.

The vista from the front of the house beckons you into the garden.

Winding paths entice you into the diverse gardens and vignettes.

In spite of the broad swaths of color and texture and form, stunning individual blooms reached out to me in many places throughout this garden.

Something new and unique waited around every corner and down each path.

Ah, a lovely place to rest and enjoy the garden.

But I didn’t dally here – too much more to see!

The woodland garden was a treat for me – the cool, shady path provided a welcome relief from the hot sun and in Austin, Texas, a garden like this is rare.

I’m always delighted by the conifers in the Pacific Northwest.

Another path leading to more garden goodies.

I saw these plants in the nursery in Portland and on someone’s blog post. The color combination absolutely wowed me.

And there were daylilies everywhere. Tall daylilies, short daylilies, bright daylilies, pale daylilies.

Then there was a drier garden, fille with plants that I recognized.

And some tropical colors started appearing in the garden.

Doesn’t everyone need a waterfountain in the middle of the garden for a refreshing drink while you are weeding?!

Ah – Eucomis – I have one at home and bought one at the nursery the previous night. Love them.

And another familiar sight – cacti with beautiful blooms.

And then there were the real tropicals – love these hot, popping colors.

And a greenhouse full of special plants.

It was a delightful garden with so much to see and enjoy. The best kind of garden for a tour – one in which every path leads to a new garden adventure.

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:06-06:00July 23rd, 2014|2014 garden bloggers fling, Blog, day lilies, focal point, garden bloggers fling, paths, Portland, seating, Sharing Nature's Garden, tropical color, tropicals|0 Comments

Hot art and design spice up Portland De Sousa Fling garden

Full to the brim with ideas and a mile-long wish list of plants that I know I can’t grow here, I’m reacclimating to Austin and my own garden after 6 glorious days in Portland, OR.

My seventh Garden Bloggers Fling beckoned last weekend – with an agenda full of great friends, gardens, nurseries, and gift shops.

The whirlwind started early and ended late and wowed me all day long every day. Because there were so many gardens in every imaginable style – I just closed my eyes today and blindly picked one to begin my posting.

The JJ De Sousa garden was one of my favorites. Hot colors created a riot of interest in the garden – plants and art and seating everywhere shouting “look at me, look at me.” The rich and sophisticated hues of tropical colors were designed to brighten the shady spots of this garden and to celebrate the hot, sunny spaces.

This whimsical gate welcomes visitors.

The colors of the tropics permeate everything in the garden, plants, pottery and decor.

The plants looked happy and healthy everywhere I turned. Ah, the benefits of some rain in the garden.

Pots and gazing balls coordinate and contrast.

The side garden ends with a fabulous wooden gate — which leads to another pocket of paradise.

Come on in, the party’s in here!

More whimsical art sets the mood for this garden.

Every little nook and cranny was filled with some sweet something designed to delight the senses.

This precious little statue is squirreling away succulents instead of seeds.

This regal Egyptian dog statue comes down to earth with clematis and nasturtiums trailing all around.

These tall, elegant vases, capped with aeonium, added a little note of sophistication.

One of many seating areas that welcomed visitors to sit a spell.

Color joined texture in this garden — smooth ceramic pots, gritty gray concrete and the sleek look of the corrugated tin made a cool combo.

Ahhh – I could sit here for hours!

And, a little humor. Chicken nesting boxes now home to hens and chicks … ha ha.

And just past the shrimp plant in this bed, a colorful stock tank water feature with a metal shrimp sculpture and glass globes. Look up whimsy in the dictionary — this is the photo you’ll find.

The same burst of colors that enriched the shady front garden, with a drier, sunnier twist.

More whimsy around the corner.

This Buddha statue, hidden among the trees, looked just like a giant gummi bear.

There were little vignettes like this everywhere.

More color, radiating everywhere.

And back through the gate again.

This was one of many Portland gardens on the tour to feature trendy tropical-style colors and decor. But beyond the design, this hot garden would brighten any cloudy day. It certainly brightened mine.

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:39:25-05:00July 15th, 2014|2014 garden bloggers fling, aeonium, Blog, coleus, color, garden bloggers fling, garden decor, garden tour, gate, metal sculpture, Portland, pottery, seating, shade plants, Sharing Nature's Garden, succulents, tropical, tropical color|0 Comments

Spring colors emerging in the garden…

As the days get a little longer, I’m lingering in the garden a little longer as well.

Daffodils and muscari and quince and Texas mountain laurels are blooming to welcome spring. Of course, I expect them to!

But today I’m most taken with these. My oxalis – oxalis regnellii – couldn’t be happier – the flush of delicate blooms providing a striking contrast against the deep purple foliage.

And I love my euphorbia rigida – gopher plant – that is spreading like crazy behind the fence where the deer live. They’ve left it alone and it’s clearly showing its appreciation. This bed doesn’t really get water unless I drag a really long hose out there and hand water 3-4 times in the summer, so I know these plants are tough as nails and can handle our drought.

I love the vibrant, contrasting colors of both the euphorbia and the oxalis plants. But I don’t have them growing near each other and I’ll have to remedy that soon. I love the contrasts found in tropical gardens and there aren’t many more brilliant than these two colors. They make me eager for hot, sunny days spent in the garden.

What are your favorite contrasting colors in the garden?

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:39:32-05:00February 27th, 2013|Blog, drought-tolerant, euphorbia, gopher plant, oxalis, Sharing Nature's Garden, tropical color|0 Comments

tropical color

Inside Austin Gardens Tour – Breathtaking garden with Lake Austin backdrop

Delightful garden tour on a challenging slope …

Winter warm up — hot colors in the garden…

A gardener’s wish list of styles, all in one Portland garden

Hot art and design spice up Portland De Sousa Fling garden

Spring colors emerging in the garden…

Escape in the garden